The Golden State Warriors reportedly will not surrender more draft picks beyond the 30th pick in 2015
in order to sweeten a David Lee trade.
The Warriors want to unload Lee's $15.5 million salary to keep them below the luxury tax line.
The 32-year-old Lee, a former All-Star, played an important role as a reliever in the Warriors' title conquest. He is incidentally the highest-paid Warrior coming off the bench.
Having given up their 2017 first rounder and second round picks until 2018 in previous transaction, the
Warriors would rather absorb a moderate tax hit than lose more draft picks.
Draymond Green is set to receive a huge deal this summer that would result in the Warriors paying the
hefty luxury tax to keep the core intact.
If Green receives a maximum deal starting around $15.8 million, the Warriors' payroll will reach $100
million, which is about $19 million over the tax line.
The team would end up spending close to $150 million, which is double to what was spent to field this year's champions.
Lee, starting center Andrew Bogut and Finals MVP Andre Iguodala will be paid a total of $39.2 million next year, which is almost as much the combined pay of stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Green.
If the Warriors trade only Lee, it would be enough to get the Warriors under the tax line even if it gives Green the maximum deal.
Obsevers says that it's not far-fetched that the NBA champions will trade away Bogut, their starting center, and Iguodala, a super substitute that was named Finals MVP.
However, observers say that if Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli continue to progress, especially on defense; and the team gets substantial compensation in the form of a lottery pick and nearly $40 million savings in salary cap, the team may be tempted.